Carilion Clinic’s Family Medicine, VelocityCare and Pharmacy locations have administered the flu vaccine to more than 40,000 patients since September, an 18 percent increase over the same time period in 2019.
Thanks to collaboration with community partners, including the Virginia Department of Health, Kroger, LewisGale, Roanoke City Public Schools and the Salem VA. Carilion’s Community Health and Outreach team has also completed 30 flu clinics, vaccinating more than 1,200 people, four times more free community flu vaccinations than were administered by clinics in 2019.
“Each community partner wanted to work together toward a shared goal of keeping our communities healthy and safe,” said Cris Sheffield, community health workforce supervisor for Carilion. “These collaborations led to great conversations, a sharing of ideas and sparks of hope during a time when most everyone is feeling overwhelmed.”
Flu vaccinations are still being administered. Patients wishing to be vaccinated should talk to their primary care provider or visit any Carilion VelocityCare or Pharmacy location
“The push to distribute this year’s flu vaccine has been critical,” said Dr. Anthony Baffoe-Bonnie, medical director for Carilion Infection Prevention and Control. “Flu and COVID-19 share many of the same symptoms. While we look forward to a COVID-19 vaccine, we already have one for the flu. Proactively getting vaccinated ahead of the most intense months for these viruses will save lives.”
